We have a favor to ask: please take a few minutes today to contact your North Carolina state legislators via email or phone.  You can find contact info here.

RDU Airport Authority hired a lobbyist to add a late addition to a NC House bill that would exempt RDU from buffer rules.  NC House Bill 206, if passed fully, will allow RDU to avoid the riparian zone protections built into law to protect the nearby creeks, streams, wildlife and the water flowing into the Neuse River Basin. This "exemption" is rather sweeping and even extends to other users on airport property, such as hotels, and even the proposed Wake Stone quarry.

We believe several Triangle area legislators oppose the "airport buffer rule" addition to HB206.  It appears RDU lobbyist Tom Fetzer added these buffer rule exemptions into HB206 (a transportation related bill) late in the process, and with the support of legislators from non-Triangle districts.  

The ramifications are huge.  RDU sits on 5,000 acres of land with many streams that flow directly into Crabtree Lake, Crabtree Creek, and Umstead State Park.  This WRAL documentary explained how Neuse River water quality is again a serious issue.  Why should RDU be exempt?  With so much land under their control, it's critical that they play by the rules and do their share to ensure water quality.

A few more resources if you'd like more detail:

• Short video explaining buffers and HB206
• TBJ and News & Observer coverage - NC Senator Alexander expressing opposition to the bill

Thank you for your help and support!